Larson Leads as Top Candidate in Minnesota College Hockey News
Current St. Cloud State head coach Brett Larson is emerging as the frontrunner for the head coaching position at Minnesota. Sources indicate that an announcement could be made as soon as this week. Larson has previously played for Minnesota-Duluth and has an extensive coaching background.
Brett Larson: The Leading Candidate
Larson is a notable figure in college hockey, having played as a defenseman at Minnesota-Duluth from 1991 to 1995. His professional career primarily unfolded in Europe before he returned to the coaching ranks in 2008 with the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Coaching Career Highlights
- Joined the UMD coaching staff in 2008
- Assisted in winning two national championships at UMD
- Coached in the USHL and at Ohio State before returning to Duluth
- Appointed head coach at St. Cloud State in 2018
If appointed, Larson would be stepping into the role previously held by Bob Motzko, whom he succeeded at St. Cloud State. Larson’s leadership is pivotal given the urgency created by the approaching transfer portal deadline.
Other Candidates Considered
The search for Minnesota’s new head coach has included several candidates. Grant Potulny, a Minnesota alumnus, and former assistant, also participated in second interviews. Potulny won two national championships as a player in 2002 and 2003 and has significant coaching experience, including a recent stint at Hartford in the AHL.
- Grant Potulny, a player for Minnesota with two championships
- Experience as Northern Michigan head coach
- Currently head coach of Hartford, AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers
Initially, the search included Augustana coach Garrett Raboin, another former Minnesota assistant, but he opted out of further discussions. Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle is keen on concluding this search swiftly, while a couple of late interview candidates could potentially delay the final decision.
The urgency to finalize the coaching selection aligns with the anticipated opening of the transfer portal, making the next few days critical for the university’s hockey program.
